The New Face of the Democratic Party

New York’s progressive anti-Israel mayor, Zohran Mamdani

Sometimes it seems that the worst antisemites among us are some of our own people. That may sound like an exaggeration, but it reflects a disturbing reality. It also makes the claim that antisemitism has dramatically increased since October 7 seem more complicated than it first appears.

Please do not misunderstand.. Antisemitism has unquestionably surged since October 7^th. Much of it is disguised as anti-Israel activism - a fig leaf for deep-seated hatred of Jews that has finally emerged from the shadows. Whether one distinguishes between hatred of Jews and accusations that Israel is committing genocide hardly matters when the result is the same: Israelis are portrayed as “baby killers,” and by extension, so are those of us (Jews) who support them.

People who use the term “New York liberal” are sometimes accused of using “liberal” as a euphemism for “Jew.” Since New York has America’s largest Jewish population, some argue that the phrase is an antisemitic dog whistle.

There is some logic behind that claim. Although New York is overwhelmingly liberal regardless of religion, a disproportionately large share of its Jewish population also identifies as politically liberal. Whether the phrase is antisemitic therefore depends largely on who is using it and in what context.

I recall when Senator Ted Cruz used the expression. He was immediately accused of antisemitism. That accusation was absurd. Cruz has consistently been one of Israel’s strongest supporters and one of the Senate’s most outspoken opponents of antisemitism. Still, because so many New York Jews identify as liberals, it is understandable why some heard the phrase differently.

The extent to which progressive politics has become intertwined with the identity of many New York Jews was made abundantly clear by the city’s recent elections. The most anti-Israel mayoral candidate in New York City’s history won decisively, receiving support from the many progressive Jewish voters. These are Jews whose political ideology defines their Judaism. Thereby making Israel an easy target.

The same trend appeared in New York’s Democratic congressional primaries. Progressive candidates who harshly condemned Israel defeated more moderate Democrats. Longtime Congressman Dan Goldman, among the party’s pro-Israel voices, lost his primary, while candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America or at least their agenda enjoyed major victories.

These victories were enthusiastically supported by mayor Zohran Mamdani, himself a democratic socialist. Recently, Democrtatic Senator Elissa Slotkin (who is Jewish) warned that the Democratic Party is changing rapidly and that its traditional political formula may no longer be enough to win elections. Whether one agrees with her assessment or not, the party is clearly moving to what seems like the hard left.

Ironically, many of these same politicians insist they oppose antisemitism while relentlessly condemning Israel and attacking AIPAC, America’s leading pro-Israel advocacy organization. It is difficult to reconcile those positions. Constantly portraying Israel as uniquely evil inevitably fuels the growing hostility toward Jews, whether intended or not.

Meanwhile 13 moderate Democrats issued a “Promise to America” manifesto rejecting socialism. The document champions capitalism, strong borders, and patriotism, Ironically, these principles sound remarkably similar to positions that today’s conservative Republicans would readily endorse.

All of this raises an important question: what will become of the Democratic Party…

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